Kindle Shawl in MODE at Rowan Cotton DK and Alpaca Haze - Downloadable PDF

Kindle Shawl in MODE at Rowan Cotton DK and Alpaca Haze

What is Being Made

The Kindle Shawl is a downloadable knitting pattern designed by Quail Studio. This shawl is a lightweight, elegant accessory measuring 41 centimeters wide and 227 centimeters long, making it a generous wrap suitable for layering or draping. The design combines two complementary yarns to create visual interest and texture in a beginner-friendly construction.

Yarn and Materials

This pattern uses two distinct yarns from the Rowan collection:

• Rowan Cotton DK in Pearl 010: The primary yarn, requiring 5 balls of 50 grams each
• Rowan Alpaca Haze in Golden 021: The accent yarn, requiring 3 balls of 25 grams each

Both yarns are lightweight, falling into the DK and sport weight categories, which contribute to the shawl's drape and breathability. The combination of cotton and alpaca creates a soft, wearable fabric with excellent stitch definition.

Needles and Tools

The pattern calls for one pair of 3.5mm needles, listed as UK size 9 or US size 4. These needles are appropriately sized for working with DK and sport weight yarns and are essential for achieving the correct tension throughout the project.

Stitches and Techniques

The Kindle Shawl employs fundamental knitting techniques suitable for beginners while incorporating lace elements for visual sophistication. Key stitches and techniques include:

• Knit stitch: The foundation stitch used throughout the shawl structure
• Purl stitch: Used selectively to create texture and pattern variation
• Yarn over (yo): A lace-making technique that creates decorative eyelet holes by bringing the yarn to the front of the work between needles, adding openness and elegance to the fabric
• Slip slip knit (ssk): A left-leaning decrease technique that reduces stitch count while maintaining clean edges, created by slipping two stitches individually as if to knit, then inserting the left needle through both slipped stitches and knitting them together as one

Lace Pattern and Construction

The shawl features a repeating lace pattern that combines yarn overs and decreases to create an open, airy fabric. The pattern begins with a cast-on of 78 stitches and uses a systematic approach alternating between solid rows and patterned rows. The lace motif includes sequences of knit stitches interspersed with multiple yarn overs and knit stitches, creating the characteristic eyelet details that define the shawl's aesthetic.

Tension and Finished Dimensions

The pattern specifies a tension of 19 stitches and 32 rows to 10 centimeters, measured over the lace pattern using 3.5mm needles. Achieving correct tension is essential for obtaining the intended finished measurements of 41 centimeters in width and 227 centimeters in length, ensuring the shawl drapes properly and maintains its designed proportions.

Skill Level

This pattern is rated as beginner-friendly, making it an excellent introduction to shawl knitting and lace techniques. While it incorporates decorative stitches like yarn overs and decreases, the straightforward construction and clear abbreviations make it accessible to knitters new to these methods.